VANDALS caused thousands of pounds worth of damage when they slashed the tyres of at least 30 cars in Ashton.

VANDALS caused thousands of pounds worth of damage when they slashed the tyres of at least 30 cars in Ashton.

Targeting a handful of streets, the offenders brought the area to a standstill the morning after the attacks as householders were unable to go to work or take kids to school.

Dad of four Abdul Anwar, of Dean Street, had to keep his eldest son at home for the day when both his cars were damaged.

He said: "It was definitely premeditated. It must have been someone with a grudge.

Noman Ahmed, a 28-year-old company director, would have had to spend £1,000 replacing the four tyres of his Range Rover but luckily only one was punctured. Two tyres were also let down on his Mercedes, which was parked on Kenyon Street.

He said a neighbour had CCTV footage they had handed to the police showing three hooded individuals damaging the cars at around 3.30am on Wednesday.

PC Gary Titterington, beat bobby for the area, which is home to many Asian families, said he wanted to stress that he did not believe the attacks were targeting the Muslim community.

He said: "People of all races and creeds have had their cars targeted. We don't believe it was racially motivated."

He asked anyone who has heard or seen anything to get in touch with him on 856 9350 or 07766 994984. He stressed that any information would be treated in confidence.